WIN $150 GIFT VOUCHERS: ALADDIN'S GOLD
Pamela Allen is a phenomenon in the world of children's literature. Since her first publication in 1980, her picture books have enchanted generations of children around the world, and have garnered a glittering array of awards and commendations including six Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards, two New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards, an International Board on Books for Young People Diploma for Illustration, the Margaret Mahy Medal, New Zealand's most prestigious award for children's literature, and most recently The Gaylene Gordon Award for a Much Loved Book from the Children's Literature Foundation of New Zealand. Pamela's books are full of the music of language; they are 'fragments of theatre', designed to be read aloud and shared between an adult and a child. Patch Theatre Company of Adelaide has created three theatrical performances from a selection of Pamela's books. These have toured throughout Australia and New Zealand, performing to packed houses. 'From Pamela Allen's first publication in 1980 it was clear that here was a creator of picture books with all the glow, gesture, din and dance to capture the attention, engage the imagination, teach, show, tickle and excite small children.' Meg Sorensen, Australian Book Review
A nighttime romp, first published in Australia, from the author/illustrator of Who Sank the Boat? and Bertie and the Bear. The infant daughter of the King and Queen makes a wish and is whisked away by her toy-turned-real lion; her family pursues them over mountains, through fields, and across the sea. As morning nears, they grow tired, so the lion invites them all back to the castle for breakfast. Afterwards, because it was morning, the lion just disappeared. Allen's funny drawings, full of lovable characters and amusing details - the pursuers, in striped pajamas, are deployed across the double spreads in a series of rhythmical dances to echo the wonderfully cadenced text. The dream-adventure makes the night exciting, but leaves baby safe and sound when the sun rises, in this fantasy that begs to be shared aloud. (Kirkus Reviews)
